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Duke University has earned the title of the top college in the South in 2013. The Blue Devils are renowned for their research, ranking #10 Research University in the country, as well as their athletics, including their 4 time NCAA championship-winning basketball team. Last year's number one Southern school, Washington and Lee University, slipped to second place in 2013. Rounding out the top 5 colleges in the region are the University of Virginia, Davidson College in North Carolina and Rice University in Texas.

The South is home to many of the nation's top public universities. 10 of the top 25 colleges in the region are public, including the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina and the College of William and Mary. When considering top value schools, Southern school again rank high, with University of Florida at #13, University of North Carolina at #14 and Texas A&M at #27.